1987 Volume 28 Issue 11 Pages 1497-1501
We studied the localization of tissue HBsAg and HBcAg in 102 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (serum HBsAg was positive in 36 cases) by immunoperoxidase staining (PAP method). HBcAg was found in the nuclei of carcinoma cells in only one patient.
This patient was a 37 year old man who was admitted to our hospital with right back pain. The liver was enlarged and hepatocellular carcinoma of diffuse type in the left lobe was suspected by ultrasonographic and angiographic examinations. The serum HBsAg and HBeAg were both positive but AFP was negative. He died five months later and the liver specimen was obtained with a Silverman needle.
Histological examination showed hepatocellular carcinoma of Edmondson H-111 grade. HBsAg was found in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells (diffuse type) and non-carcinoma cells (inclusion type). HBcAg was stained in the nuclei of carcinoma cells, suggesting the presence of HBV in carcinoma cells.
